Woodpeckers’ feet feature a unique arrangement of toes that provide a secure grip. Let’s recap the key differences between woodpeckers and most other bird feet:
Feet and Toe arrangement: Woodpeckers vs Most other birds
- Woodpecker Feet:
- Zygodactyl: Two toes point forward, two point backward, providing excellent grip for climbing trees.
- Strong Claws: Help anchor the bird to the tree trunk while pecking.
- Most other Bird Feet:
- Anisodactyl: Three toes point forward, one points backward, typical for perching and walking on branches.
- Weaker Claws: Primarily used for grasping branches and perching.

Meaning and Functions of Zygodactyl in Woodpeckers
The suffix dactylie is Greek for “fingers.”
Aniso= is a combination of Greek words that means “unequal” or “uneven. Three toes forward and one tie backwards= Anisodactylie.
Zygo= Comes from the Greek word “zygon” which means “yoke”= it indicates that parts are arranged in symmetrical pairs. Toes 2 and 3 point forward, 1 and 4 point backwards= Zygodactylie.
- Zygodactyl Arrangement: Most terrestrial birds have anisodactyl feet, with three toes pointing forward and one backward. In contrast, woodpeckers possess zygodactyl feet, typically with two forward-facing and two rear-facing toes. This arrangement is found throughout the order Piciformes, but it’s also seen in other relatives of woodpeckers an climbing birds like parrots and cuckoos.
- Enhanced Grip on Vertical Surfaces: The zygodactyl feet provide a strong, balanced grip, allowing woodpeckers to cling securely to vertical surfaces.
- Ectropodactyl Rotation: In many instances, as a woodpecker climbs, the outer rear toe can rotate to the side, creating an ectropodactyl arrangement. This further enhances their gripping ability and stability on the tree trunk.
- Three-Toed Exceptions: The Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers deviate from the norm, having only three toes on each foot. In these species, the inner rear toe is absent, and the remaining rear toe always points backward.
- Splayed Feet in Large Species: Some large woodpeckers, like the Pileated Woodpecker, have feet that splay outward from the body. This allows their tarsus (the lower leg bone) to touch the tree, providing additional support and leverage. Think of it as spreading their weight for a wider, more stable base.
- Jerky Gait: The woodpecker’s climbing motion as a jerky gait, a result of their specialized tail and feet working in tandem. Their feet hop upward in unison, propelled by a strong push, and the tail props the bird during this movement, creating a characteristic up-and-down motion as they ascend a tree.
How many toes do woodpeckers have?
The number of toes in a woodpecker’s feet is a frequently asked question. As discussed above, woodpeckers typically have four toes arranged in a zygodactyl pattern. However, some woodpeckers, like the Black-backed (Picoides arcticus) and Three-toed Woodpeckers (Picoides dorsalis), have three toes instead of four. Their tails also play a crucial role in providing additional support and balance during climbing and foraging.
Three-Toed Woodpeckers
The Black-backed Woodpecker and the Three-toed Woodpecker are the only North American land birds with three toes instead of four. These species lack the inner rear toe (hallux) typical of zygodactyl arrangements, leaving them with only three forward-facing toes.

Why three toes in only these two species of woodpeckers?
The reasons for only three toes in these Three-toed Woodpeckers are poorly understood. They appear to have evolved their unique toe arrangement as an adaptation to their specialized foraging behavior and habitat preferences. This adaptation allows them to drill more effectively into wood in search of insect larvae, particularly in coniferous forests.
The three-toed arrangement provides several advantages:
- Increased drilling force: The lack of the first toe allows Three-toed Woodpeckers to sit back slightly more than other woodpeckers, giving their head a longer distance to travel and hit with more force when drilling.
- Specialization for coniferous forests: Three-toed Woodpeckers are primarily found in mature and old-growth spruce-fir and lodgepole pine forests. This habitat preference has likely contributed to the evolution of their specialized toe arrangement.
- Adaptation to bark beetle outbreaks: These woodpeckers are strongly favored by large-scale disturbances, such as bark beetle infestations. Their three-toed arrangement may help them exploit these food sources more efficiently.
- Foraging on recently burned or damaged forests: Three-toed Woodpeckers are known to exploit forests that have been recently burned or otherwise damaged, which provide a rich supply of food. Their toe arrangement may be particularly advantageous in these environments.
Woodpeckers’ feet are adapted for climbing. Their tails act as props, and their zygodactyl feet ensure a secure grip, enabling them to navigate their arboreal environment with ease.
See also: Regional Guides to the Woodpeckers of North America